Category: Smartphones

Samsung has sent invites for the exclusive event to be held on August 23, in which they will unveil the all new Galaxy Note 8. After last year’s devastating battery issue with the Note 7, Samsung did not only halt the production but also had to Call-back the existing units. Many skeptics believed that was the end of the Note lineup, but apparently, Samsung wants to continue the Note series.

Expect Big from Galaxy Note 8?

Starting with the aesthetics, a number of rumors have already pointed towards slimmer bezels and a bigger display. According to Gsmarena, The Note 8 would most probably have a 6.4” QHD Screen with 6GB of Ram and Snapdragon 835 chipset. These promising specs would definitely ensure that the Note 8 would be able to handle pretty much all the apps with ease. Hopefully, it would also have a bigger battery to power the beast.

According to the current rumors, it will be the first Samsung flagship phone to have dual lens camera system. Furthermore, it will probably be a combination of 12 and 8MP lenses, however, there are no details on the aperture and camera sensor.

Geekbench Comparison of Note 8 with iPhone 7 Plus

Your Tech Dose has also managed to get the Geekbench scores of alleged Note 8 (SM-N9500) (Courtesy: Gsmarena). It definitely performed great on the both Single and Multi-Core tests. We also took the liberty to compare it to the score of its arch rival, iPhone 7 Plus. iPhone 7 outperforms pretty much any current phone on the Single Core, however, Note 8 took the lead on the Multi-Core test!

iPhone 7 Plus vs. Galaxy Note 8

Your Tech Dose will update the review once the phone is officially launched next week on August 23. Mark your calenders!

Apple recently launched its latest generation of the iPads with some serious spec bumps and a lot of power under its slim chassis. Your Tech Dose also provided the first impressions of the new iPad. After testing it for over a month, here’s the full review for the iPad Pro 10.5″.

Unboxing Experience of the iPad Pro 10.5

The new iPad comes with a familiar packaging, however, this time Apple has used the picture of the device itself on the top with one of the wallpapers that it ships with. On the side we have iPad Pro’s branding, with Apple’s iconic logo on the front and bottom of the lid. Upon opening the lid, we are greeted with the iPad itself covered in a translucent protector. The new iPad Pro 10.5″ comes with the following accessories in the box:

iPad Pro 10.5″

Instruction Booklets

Apple Stickers

Lightning Cable

2.4A Charger

In case you are wondering about the missing Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard then it’s about time that you know that Apple does not ship iPad Pro with either of these accessories. Instead you would have to buy them separately. Apple Pencil costs $99, whereas Apple’s Smart Keyboard costs $159. So basically, adding these 2 accessories raises the price of the entry-level iPad Pro to over $900, which is definitely quite expensive for a Tablet.

Daily Performance of the iPad Pro 10.5

Despite being just a tablet, it packs enough computing power to compete with most notebooks. A10X Fusion Chip paired with 4GB of Ram, makes it blazing fast and super productive. The ProMotion display with 120Hz refresh rate adds cherry on top by making all the transitions ever so smooth. If that does not satisfy your inner geek, then have a look at the GeekBench comparison of iPad Pro 10.5” with other iOS devices.

iPad Pro 10.5 GeekBench Comparison

It is undoubtedly the king of tablets currently. However, is this power too much for an iPad? Not with the upcoming iOS 11. Till now, critics were quite skeptical about the productivity of an iPad. But with the launch of iOS 11, it would most definitely take its productivity to the next level. It is not only a more demanding OS, but also takes full advantage of iPad Pro’s unprecedented power.

Is the iPad Pro 10.5” for you?

It depends on a lot of factors. If you are looking for a tablet to fulfill just your entertainment needs, like watching movies, scrolling the web and social media, then you should probably get the previous iPad Pro 9.7”. It is still a very fast tablet, with outstanding display and a slim form factor.

If you are a student and looking for a budget device to take notes and scroll the web, then you should consider other cheap alternatives.

If you are a designer, an art enthusiast or someone looking to get the best display in a portable device, then the new iPad Pro 10.5” is definitely for you. It won’t disappoint you no matter what. Just wait till iOS 11 comes out to fully take advantage of this amazing tablet.

It’s that time of the year when the hype for the new iPhone is at its peak. Apple is likely to unveil its latest generation of iPhone in almost a month’s time. This year is special because, it marks the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone. Hence, it is expected that Apple is going to offer more than just a mere spec bump. Instead, this time Apple is expected to launch a special device, with a significant improvement over the current iPhone.

List of Expected Upgrades for iPhone 8

Your Tech Dose has compiled a list of Top 5 changes that are expected in the upcoming iPhone.

Improved Display: The new iPhone is expected to come with slimmer bezels, which would allow it to offer a bigger screen size in the same footprint. The Screen is also expected to be much brighter with improved anti reflective coating. Furthermore, iPhone 8 is also expected to finally get a 2K Display with 601 DPI, currently, it only comes with a 1080P Display with 401 DPI. (GsmArena)

Screen Integrated Touch ID: Due to the bigger screen size, the new iPhone will reportedly come with a digital home button, which would double as the Touch ID. This makes sense, as with the iPhone 7, Apple ditched the physical button by integrating a haptic sensor. Hence, the next step is to have It inside the display!

Wireless Charging: Apple is also reportedly working on finally ditching the plug-and-play charging. Apparently, the iPhone 8 will use wireless charging, however, there it’s still not clear if it’s going to use a charging pad like most of Samsung’s flagship devices.

A11 Chip with up to 4GB of Ram: One thing that Apple does the best is its hardware utilization. Although the Current iPhone 7 is quite fast, but Apple is reportedly going to take it to the next level by integrating a faster quad-core processor and up to 4GB of RAM in the iPhone 8 Plus. This would definitely make it one of the fastest devices by a long margin.

Iris Scanner: According to one source, iPhone 8 would reportedly come with an iris scanner for added security, which might eventually replace the Touch-ID altogether. The latter seems far-fetched but there is a chance of seeing an iPhone without a Touch-ID!

Although, these are still rumors but like every year, a lot of rumors regarding the iPhone turn out to be true. Your Tech Dose will keep updating the necessary info regarding the highly anticipated iPhone 8. Till then, enjoy these amazing renderings of the upcoming iPhone!

OnePlus is one of the few tech companies which entered the smart phone industry at a very competitive period, and still managed to gain the market share. Part of the reason behind their success is their superior value of smartphones. It’s important to understand that OnePlus does not offer ground breaking innovations like some other industry giants like Apple and Samsung, instead they rely on high performance phones with minimal latency and a snappy User Interface (UI). They somehow manage to offer all these things at a very nominal price. For instance, the latest OnePlus 5 packs class leading specs and is still priced just over $500. In comparison, most of the other flagships, starts way above the $650 price mark.

Does OnePlus 5 look like a cheap iPhone?

Ever since the launch of OnePlus 5, everyone has been going crazy over the similarities between iPhone 7 Plus and the OnePlus 5. Yes, they do look a lot similar, but they are not! After thoroughly testing OnePlus 5’s capabilities and putting it up against iPhone 7 Plus, it’s quite apparent that OnePlus wanted to target iPhone users.

These phones have a striking resemblance. However, despite sharing a similar design and structure, they feel entirely different. To begin with, OnePlus 5 seems lighter and much easier to hold than the iPhone 7 Plus. This is primarily due to its curved back panel as compared with iPhone’s flatter back. Similarly, the side bezels on the OnePlus 5 are thinner, which allows it to offer a similar sized screen (5.5 Inch) but with a slightly narrow body. However, rest of the design language is quite similar to the iPhone and from a distance one can easily take it as an iPhone.

Camera and Display quality of OnePlus 5

OnePlus 5 comes with a 5.5 inch AMOLED display with a Full-HD resolution. It is definitely not as bright and high-res as other flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S8 or LG G6, but still its good enough for everyday tasks. The screen can be recalibrated by adjusting the contrast and saturation, which is a nice touch.

Talking about the camera, it comes with a dual lens camera system providing 2 fixed focal lengths i.e. 24mm and 36mm. The 24mm lens capture 16 MP photos at f/1.7, whereas the 36mm lens has a 20MP resolution with a higher aperture at f/2.6. These two lenses are also capable of working coherently to take portraits which digitally blur the image background to provide a shallow depth of field. The overall functionality of the camera is very similar to that of iPhone 7 Plus. Although, OnePlus 5 has a slender advantage with its “Pro Mode” which allows the user to adjust the camera settings manually.

OnePlus 5 camera is also capable of recording videos of 4K Resolution at 30 Frames Per Second (FPS), and 720P videos at 120 FPS. However, one major let down of the camera comes from the lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which could result in shaky photos and videos. Overall the camera of iPhone 7 Plus is more capable than OnePlus 5.

Battery Life of OnePlus 5

This is one area where OnePlus 5 shines the most. During the tests and daily use, it easily lasted more than a day. This is partly due to its moderate screen resolution and also due to the overall UI of the Oxygen OS. The software is extremely snappy and there was not a single instance when the phone failed to keep up with user inputs.

Another important aspect of the battery is the “Dash Charger”. Due to its industry leading fast charging capability, it took just 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge the device. In comparison, iPhone 7 Plus takes about 3 hours to fully charge itself. The Dash Charger definitely makes life much easier!

Verdict

With all these impressive qualities, OnePlus 5 is certainly one of the best flagships in the market. If you are looking for a device with minimal lag and maximum performance, then OnePlus 5 is definitely for you. At the price point of $500, it offers great value for money with outstanding performance. Hence, Your Tech Dose gives it a rating of 4/5 stars!

At the WWDC 2017, Apple announced a number of new products. The major announcements included hardware tweaks to the MacBook Pro Lineup, The new iOS 11 and a highly anticipated iPad Pro with 10.5” screen. The new iPad coupled with the latest iOS 11 takes mobile productivity to a whole new level. Apple has always been keen on making subtle yet significant upgrades to its devices. However, this year’s iPad Pro 10.5” has seen some great improvements inside out. It’s important to mention here that the new iPad Pro 12.9” which was also launched alongside its smaller sibling, still shares the same outlook as its predecessor. So, let’s have a quick look at the upgraded hardware for the new iPad Pro lineup.

Specifications of the iPad Pro 10.5” & 12.9”

A10X Fusion Chipset with 4GB RAM

12 Core GPU

Available in 64/256/512GB of Internal Storage

12 MP f/1.8 Primary Camera and 7 MP f/2.2 Secondary Camera

2nd Gen Touch ID with Physical Home Button

4 Speakers (Top and Bottom for Stereo sound)

120Hz Refresh Rate with Maximum Brightness at 600 Nits

These upgrades send a clear message that Apple is taking the Tablet game to new heights. They have literally added enough computing power to ensure that even the most demanding apps are dealt with precision. Apple has even doubled the memory options and now you can grab an iPad with a whopping 512GB of internal storage.

Most Notable Upgrades of the iPad Pro 10.5”

The most notable changes are made to the screen of the new iPad Pro. The iPad Pro 10.5” offer thinner bezels and more screen real estate in the same footprint as its predecessor (iPad Pro 9.7”). It definitely makes it aesthetically appealing. This also has the brightest screen of all the iPads ever made. According to Macworld, it is almost 90 Nits brighter than its predecessor, which was already one of the brightest tablets in the market. The screen upgrades do not stop there. In fact, one of the most important screen upgrades include the 120Hz Refresh Rate on the new iPad Pro 10.5”. This is up from 60Hz Refresh Rate in the 9.7” iPad Pro. Basically, a 120Hz panel makes the screen twice as responsive to the inputs as the 60Hz panel This is a significant improvement because it makes the User Interface much more smoother and better. It’s especially beneficial for folks who want to use Apple Pencil for graphical illustrations.

Other notable improvements include the upgraded cameras, which are now similar to that of the iPhone 7. Similarly, the Touch ID has also been upgraded to the latest gen system for a quicker finger print recognition.

Pricing and Value Proposition of iPad Pro 10.5″ & 12.9″

The New iPad Pro 10.5” starts at $649 for the 64GB Wi-Fi Only Model. If you go for the top-spec model then it will cost $1079. Similarly, the latest iPad Pro 12.9” starts at $799 for the Base Model and goes up to a crazy $1229 price tag. Not to mention that the Apple Pencil costs another $99 and the Keyboard Cover would add another $169 from Apple.

These prices make the new iPads the competitor for premium notebook PCs and even some mid to high-end laptops. Hence, Apple is trying to cater to the customers who are already in the market for some high-end productivity devices. There is no doubt that the new iPad Pro is a very potent device, however, it seems that the most practical decision would be to go for the entry-level iPad Pro, until you really want the extra memory or mobile Internet.

OnePlus is one of few successful companies that raised to fame in less than 5 years. Despite being in a highly competitive market of smart phones, OnePlus has managed to cause a stir with their flagship phones. Every year, OnePlus offers an upgraded phone with exceptional specs and a modest design. This year is no exception. They have revealed their latest flagship device, the OnePlus 5 and it packs more punch than ever!

Specifications of OnePlus 5

5” 1080P AMOLED Display

Snapdragon 835 Processor

6GB and 8 GB Ram for 64GB and 128GB storage devices respectively

Dual Cameras with 16 and 20 Megapixels

3,300 MAH Battery

On Paper, the phone seems pretty impressive with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of Storage. The latest Snapdragon 835 is not only fast but also significantly more energy efficient than its predecessor. OnePlus 5 has gone through a complete redesign inside out. However, there is just one thing that is similar to the OnePlus 3T, the display. They are still using the same 1080P AMOLED display from the previous generation. This is one area where OnePlus 5 does not come close to its competitors who offer a 1440P display. Apart from that, it stands pretty strong against them.

Pricing of OnePlus 5

OnePlus has always ensured that their devices offer a great value for money. This time around, although the 6GB/64GB model starts at $479 but the upper model, the 8GB/128GB costs $539. This brings it much closer to the price of its mainstream competitors like LG G6 and the Galaxy S8. However, there’s still a marginal difference between their prices and if you are fine with 1080P Display, then OnePlus 5 is definitely the clear winner in its price bracket!

Verdict on OnePlus 5

It is definitely an impressive phone with a sturdy build quality and some mind-bending specs under the hood. The Oxygen OS is also buttery smooth which handles graphic intensive apps like a breeze. The camera interface is quite similar to that of the iPhone7 Plus as it even adapts the Portrait Mode from the iOS. To conclude, it is definitely the best value for money phone in the market. It will be available from next week (27th-June), you won’t regret buying one!

In this review, we will be talking about the best case for your iPhone. We have tried and tested a number of cases by keeping in mind the practicality, protection and the aesthetics of the case. We believe we have just found the best case!

This case comes from a UK based company, Tactus, which specializes in tech accessories like phone and laptop cases. Although the company has a variety of different cases for the iPhone, but the one we have chosen has a nice trick up its sleeve. Behold all the selfie lovers! This case sticks to any glossy surface and gives you the freedom of taking a better selfie with a large group of friends. Furthermore, it can also be used as a hands-free companion to make you extra productive! The name of the case is Smootch, which quite literally sticks with any glossy surface.

Practicality of the Smootch Case for iPhone

The case has a minimal foot print, it snugs in the back of the iPhone and there are cut out for all the ports.

Available in 4 colors to suit your taste and preferences.

The back of the case has a micro-suction dotted design which sticks it to the glossy surface.

When using in your hand and purse, it does not gather dust particles like most sticky cases do.

The case does not provide any protection for the top and bottom of the iPhone as the cut out extends from one end to the other.

The overall sturdiness of the case makes it easier to grip the iPhone.

Verdict on the Smootch Case for iPhone

Considering all the above mentioned points and the user experience of over 1 month, it’s safe to say, that this is by far the best iPhone case that we have tested. However, one area that needs improvement is the protection. Despite being grippy, the case does not provide any protection for the top and lower part of the iPhone, which makes it vulnerable to scratches. Another important thing to mention is the price. It is available for £19 which is quite reasonable considering the functionality of the case. Hence, the Smootch Case for iPhone gets the approval from yourtechdose!

Blackberry has been the king of the business class of phones for a long time. However, the dynamic nature of the Tech Industry has changed a lot of things in the recent years. Many new companies like Huawei and OnePlus have sprung out and captured a significant market share of the smart phone industry. However, the competitive edge that Blackberry had is still not taken by one specific company yet. Many tech gurus argue that Blackberry died the day it gave up on their Operating Software (OS) aka Blackberry OS. Whereas, others say that moving on to the Android gave a new life to the company.

In this review, we’ll test these theories and see how Blackberry Passport, the last Blackberry before the company ditched its Blackberry OS, performs as the daily runner. To check the detailed specifications of the Blackberry Passport, click on gsmarena.

The Aesthetics Of BB Passport

Setting aside the nitty-gritty specs, let’s just focus on the odd aesthetics of this phone. BB Passport is quite literally the size of a passport. It’s squared design makes it almost impossible to use single handedly. Similarly, the odd screen ratio makes HD media consumption a nightmare. Pretty much all the HD videos have a letter-boxing effect, which means that the top and bottom of the screen is blacked out to show the video in its native, 16:9 aspect ratio.

One of the things that Blackberry did right with this phone is the touch sensitive navigation on the physical keyboard. Basically, the user can just swipe the fingers on the physical keyboard to navigate and scroll through pages. This feature has become quite popular and therefore used in the new Blackberry’s Flagship devices as well.

How about the App Support for the BlackBerry OS?

Well this is another area in which Blackberry fails miserably. Even the essential social media apps are not well optimized specially if you are coming from an Android or iOS device. Many important apps like WhatsApp are withdrawing their support of the Blackberry OS. For instance, as soon as you open the WhatsApp, you are greeted with a message asking you to change your device before 30th-June-2017 or else it won’t work.

One of the primary reasons for BlackBerry to adopt Android OS was the level of development and supported apps. They first gave up their exclusivity as soon as they made the Blackberry Messenger (BBM) available to iOS and Android devices and then everything started to fall apart. Hence, when it became apparent that they could not compete with Android, they unfortunately killed the BB OS themselves.

Verdict

By considering all the points above and using the BlackBerry Passport for over a month, I would have to say with a heavy heart, that true BlackBerry is actually dead. Although, the company has tried to rejuvenate the brand by adopting the Android OS, but it has lost its feel and image. We hope that in future, Blackberry can come up with better devices, which are more Blackberry than Google. Till then, it’s really hard to recommend one.

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About Our Founder

Shaheel Shahzad is the founder and top reviewer of Your Tech Dose. He has been a tech enthusiast since teenage and has a nice collection of gadgets as well. He’s a Marketing graduate with a keen interest in Photography, Gaming & Cars!